Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s dramatic physical transformation for his latest role in The Smashing Machine has sparked heated debate online, with wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer leading the charge with pointed criticism about the actor’s appearance.
“He doesn’t look like an MMA fighter. He looks like a giant bodybuilder,” Meltzer said on The Cinema Sidekick Podcast. “A normal person can’t look like that, but he’s got access to things other people don’t.”
The comments, made while discussing Johnson’s preparation for the film—in which he portrays MMA legend Mark Kerr—have ignited a fascinating conversation about athletic authenticity, Hollywood’s approach to physical transformation and the health implications of body modification at age 52.
According to director Benny Safdie, Johnson gained 30 pounds of muscle specifically for the role, targeting particular muscle groups to match Kerr’s physique as a world-class freestyle wrestler. The transformation was so intense that when photographer Cheryl Dunn captured early images on set, Safdie was stunned by what his star had achieved.
“His body was so wild in what he was able to achieve and it was just remarkable,” Safdie told Men’s Health, explaining how he directed Johnson to develop specific areas like traps and legs while maintaining a “puffier” quality that reflected the different nutritional standards of early MMA.
But the physical commitment may have come at a cost. Multiple online commenters noted that Johnson has since lost over 50 pounds, with speculation swirling about health concerns that prompted the dramatic reduction.
Perhaps the most pointed criticism centers on the casting itself: Johnson, now in his fifties, playing a character in his twenties. As one observer wryly noted, Johnson is now almost Mark Kerr’s actual current age—a peculiar Hollywood quirk that highlights the industry’s complicated relationship with age and representation.
“Now whether it’s healthy or sensible to go that big (no) at 50+ (hahahahaha no) is a more important question,” one commenter wrote, echoing concerns shared by many following Johnson’s transformation.
Yet Johnson’s defenders argue that the criticism misses a crucial point: Mark Kerr actually looked like that. The real-life MMA star, documented in a 2001 film that inspired this biopic, was known for his massive, enhanced physique during the era when MMA had little oversight regarding performance-enhancing substances.
“In the movie he’s built pretty exactly like the real Mark Kerr during that time period,” one commenter observed, pointing out that early MMA, particularly in organizations like PRIDE, featured competitors who resembled bodybuilders more than the lean athletes seen in modern mixed martial arts.
Other MMA stars from that era, including Alistair Overeem, displayed similarly massive physiques before stricter testing protocols were implemented. In that context, Johnson’s transformation could be seen as commitment to historical accuracy rather than Hollywood excess.
The involvement of Dave Meltzer—primarily known as a wrestling journalist—adds an interesting dimension to the conversation. Meltzer has long-standing connections to Johnson through the wrestling world, making his public criticism particularly notable.
In his full interview Meltzer discusses Johnson’s subsequent weight loss and mentions reports of an upcoming project where the actor will portray a 70-year-old character—a stark contrast to his Smashing Machine appearance.
Safdie’s approach to the transformation reveals a director deeply invested in authenticity. He explained that different phases of Kerr’s career required different looks, and Johnson’s body was adjusted throughout filming to reflect the character’s evolution.
“When he’s in Vale Tudo, his body looks a specific way because it’s his first match and his body looks different from the end,” Safdie explained, noting the constant fluctuation in training and nutrition required.
The director’s confidence in his star remains unshaken, with the pair already planning their next collaboration, Lizard Music, where Johnson will portray a 70-year-old man—proving that their creative partnership extends well beyond physical spectacle.
The controversy surrounding Johnson’s appearance in The Smashing Machine ultimately reflects larger questions about Hollywood’s demands on actors, the sustainability of extreme physical transformations and whether authenticity always requires such dramatic measures—particularly when health may be at stake.
“Guess erosion really does wear down all rocks.”
Whether the performance justifies the transformation remains to be seen when audiences can finally judge for themselves. But the conversation it’s sparked about aging, athletic authenticity and the price of physical perfection in Hollywood may prove more lasting than the film itself.
